Indians notes: Tribe make bevy of roster moves

Friday was another busy roster day for the Indians, starting with the expected: pitcher Carlos Carrasco was suspended for eight games and fined an undisclosed sum by Major League Baseball for hitting Kevin Youkilis with a pitch in the fourth inning of the Indians' 14-1 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

Carrasco hit Youkilis with his first pitch after giving up a home run to Robinson Cano. Carrasco said he wasn't throwing at Youkilis, but slipped on the mound as he was throwing the pitch.

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Carrasco was optioned to Columbus on Wednesday, so he is eligible to continue pitching in the minor leagues.

However, the suspension could hamper Carrasco's chances of being called up by the Indians at some point this season. Whenever he is recalled, he will have to miss the first eight games while serving the suspension.

The most logical time to recall him would be in September, when rosters can be expanded and the Indians would have the manpower to work around a starter who has to miss eight games.

"September would be the easiest time to resolve it, but that doesn't preclude us from calling him up before then," General Manager Chris Antonetti said.

This is the second time in three years Carrasco has been suspended for throwing at a hitter after giving up a home run. In a start during the 2011 season, he was suspended for six games for throwing at Kansas City's Billy Butler after giving up a home run to the previous hitter, Melky Cabrera.

Carrasco appealed that suspension and it was reduced to five games, but he was unable to serve it until the start of this season because he missed all of last year while recovering from elbow surgery.

Antonetti said the Indians are still high on Carrasco's potential to eventually become a contributor in the major-league rotation.

"He has an unbelievable amount of potential and has a chance to be a very good major-league pitcher," Antonetti said.

The G-man

Nobody was looking forward to the activation of Giambi off the DL more than Tribe manager Terry Francona, who raves about the 42-year-old Giambi's leadership and presence in the clubhouse. Giambi had been on the DL since the start of the season with a lower back strain.

"It's not only what he says but how he says it," said Francona. "He's a great guy to have around, and the fact that he's active now only enhances it. I've gone to him seven or eight times already to ask him questions. When you have a guy who all the players look up to, that's a big deal."

Francona said he will pick and choose the days Giambi plays, mostly as a designated hitter vs. right-handed pitchers.

Notes

Hagadone made two appearances at Columbus and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings on two hits, walking three and striking out five of the 12 batters he faced. ...Kluber was recalled from Columbus in order to start Wednesday's game against the Yankees, but that game was rained out, so he was sent back to Columbus on Friday. ... Albers was placed on the Paternity List so he could leave the team to be with his wife, Tara, who is expecting the couple's first child. ... Carlos Santana, who hasn't played since leaving Monday's game with a bruised left thumb, could be in the lineup Saturday, according to Francona. ... Today at 4:05 p.m. Zach McAllister (0-1, 3.00) will face Chris Sale (1-0, 1.84).